Cardiovascular Disease and Health Care System Impact on Functionality and Productivity in Argentina: A Secondary Analysis.

Objectives: To examine the impact of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events on patient functionality and productivity on the basis of patient use of public or social/private institution health care.

Methods: A secondary analysis was conducted of data drawn from records of Argentinian patients, 3 to 15 months posthospitalization after a CVD event, who had originally participated in a multicountry, cross-sectional study assessing the microeconomic impact of a CVD event. Respondents were stratified according to their use of health care institution (public or social/private). Among these groups, pre- and post-CVD event changes in functionality and productivity were compared.

Results: Participants' (N = 431) mean age was 56.5 years, and 73.5% were men. Public sector patients reported significantly higher rates of decline in ability to perform moderate activities (P < 0.05), a greater decrease in time spent at work (P < 0.01), a greater limit in the type of work-related activities (P < 0.01), and a higher rate of emotional problems (P < 0.01). Having health insurance (private or social) (odds ratio [OR] = 0.55; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.35-0.85; P < 0.01) and a higher income (OR = 0.99; 95% CI 0.99-0.99; P < 0.01) were inversely and significantly associated with loss of productivity. Cerebrovascular disease (OR = 2.55; 95% CI 1.42-4.60; P < 0.01) was also significantly associated with productivity loss.

Conclusions: In Argentina, patients receiving care in the public sector experienced a greater impact on functionality and productivity after their hospitalization for a CVD event. Lack of insurance, low income, and cerebrovascular disease event were the major determinants of productivity loss. Further investigation is needed to better understand contributors to these differences.